Southern Living picks Bel-Loc

Bel-Loc diner is number one among Southern Living magazine’s favorite diners in its November issue. It even includes a recipe from owner Bill Doxanas for rice pudding.

While the magazine recommends getting breakfast (blueberry pancakes or raisin-bread French toast) at the Towson spot on Loch Raven Boulevard near the Beltway that opened in 1964, I really like going there for lunch. You can’t beat a triple-decker turkey club served by Miss Ruthie, a hon of a waitress.

I have fond memories of the Bel-Loc anyway. I grew up going there, but I wasn’t hanging out with the morning crowd. I mostly went in the late evening for caloric-busting (or alcohol-absorbing) burgers and fries after a night of partying with friends. Those were the days.